Very newbie question here. I've not had to worry about a trailer/camper before this year. The one I bought which was already on the lease leaks like a sieve after all this rain. Luckily it didn't cost me very much. It's an old Shasta camper that is not road worthy at this point.

My thought is to get a tarp to put over it and tie or bungee it to the rear bumper, front hitch area just to keep the water from getting direct access to the roof.

How much room needs to be between the tarp and roof to allow for air so it doesn't damage it any further? Would some 2x4s work to give it enough gap?

I may look to seal it up properly after this deer season is over but need something for the interim.

If it does not have a rooftop A/C, I think I would just lay it up there and tie it down. My RV guy is a roof specialist, and is near you, so when you get it home, you can get it fixed right. I see guys put a carport over their RV, might be a good fix for you.

if it's been leaking all along, it's
probably already half dry rotted, so
a tarp at this point likely won't hurt anything.
i'd tarp it and crack some vents or windows.

I used a tarp on my old trailer for years and never had any problems, other than having to replace it every year as a result from damage by the sun and outside elements. The heavy duty, silver tarps with a solid black underside definitely lasted longer.

Another thing you can do it go to the hardware store and buy a can of Kool Seal roof covering. Coat the entire roof and seams with it. It might stop the leak without having to worry about airflow of the AC or the tarp tearing up.

I did this recently with an old trailer my son-in-law is using and got very good results. It works best if you apply it thick with a mop so there is plenty to fill into gaps and cracks to seal them once it dries. I picked up a 5 gallon container of the stuff at Home Depot.

If you going to apply the Kool Seal clean the roof real good for it to stick. Either the silver or white, the silver have to mix up in the pail.

Mine started leaking pretty bad after I moved from one spot to where it currently sits. Got tired of chasing the leaks and its probably so rotted now that any more and the ceiling would fall down. So I just had a 20x30 RV cover built over it. Accomplishes 2 things for me: 1. No more leaks and 2. I now have a covered area on all sides for storage, picnic table, etc. Wife and I both like the configuration of the old camper and this is a cheaper way than buying a new or newer one.

Thanks guys. Going to tarp it for this season and then decide on something for the future.